Bath Water Filter for Pet Bathing

ABSTRACT

A bath water filter for pet bathing is comprised of a fine fabric mesh fitted into the bathtub. The fabric mesh is water permeable, but catches the pet hair before it is washed down the drain.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/916,346, filed Dec. 16, 2013, which is hereby incorporated by reference.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not Applicable

PARTIES TO A JOINT RESEARCH AGREEMENT

Not Applicable

REFERENCE TO SEQUENCE LISTING, A TABLE, OR A COMPUTER PROGRAM LISTING COMPACT DISK APPENDIX

Not Applicable

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates generally to pet care accessories and in particular to a bath water filter for pet bathing. Dog and cat owners usually find it most convenient to give their pets a bath in the bathtub of the residence. Unfortunately, pet hair usually goes down the drain and creates the risk of clogging the drain. This may result in expensive visits by a plumber. A bath water filter for pet bathing would resolve this problem.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, the invention is directed to a bath water filter for pet bathing. The filter is comprised of a fine fabric mesh fitted into the bathtub. The fabric mesh is water permeable, but catches the pet hair before it is washed down the drain.

Additional features and advantages of the invention will be set forth in the description which follows, and will be apparent from the description, or may be learned by practice of the invention. The foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory and are intended to provide further explanation of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings are included to provide a further understanding of the invention and are incorporated into and constitute a part of the specification. They illustrate four embodiments of the invention and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the invention.

FIG. 1 is a side view of the first exemplary embodiment, displaying the fabric mesh 10, the flexible rod 11, and the basket region 13.

FIG. 2 is a top transparency view of the first exemplary embodiment, displaying the fabric mesh 10, the flexible rod 11, the suction cups 12, and the basket region 13.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring now to the invention in more detail, the invention is directed to a bath water filter for pet bathing. The filter is comprised of a fine fabric mesh 10 fitted into the bathtub and forming a basket region 13 that conforms thereto. The fabric mesh 10 is water permeable, but is a fine mesh which catches the pet or other animal hair before it is washed down the drain, but to admit water.

The device is presented in one exemplary embodiment. The first exemplary embodiment features the fabric mesh 10, featuring loops made of identical fabric to allow it to be suspended from a flexible rod 11, which surrounds the upper perimeter of the bathtub in a loop-shaped configuration, as shown. The fabric mesh 10 will not float, but will instead rest on the bottom of the bathtub if water is allow to accumulate in the bathtub, and if provided in one piece to assure ease of use. The fabric mesh 10 is of sufficient strength to resist tearing, and may be easily repositioned by sliding along the flexible rod 11. The flexible rod 11 is temporarily affixed to the rim of the bathtub with a plurality of suction cups 12, which are releasably attached to the flexible rod 11 by clips. A heavy duty, flexible ring is provided for the drain to allow water drainage while the pet is in the tub, to prevent the clumping of pet hair at the drain. A convenient storage pouch is also provided.

To use the device, the user removes the fabric mesh 10, the flexible rod 11, the suction cups 12, and the flexible ring from the storage pouch. The user then affixes the flexible rod 11 to the upper rim of the bathtub, using the suction cups 12. The user hangs the fabric mesh 10 from the flexible rod 11 using the fabric loops contained in the mesh 10 for this purpose. The user then places the flexible ring around the drain, and bathes the pet. The flexible rod 11 is then disconnected from the suction cups 12. The flexible rod 11 is easily twisted and rolled up into a storage configuration that may be placed within in the storage pouch; the fabric mesh 10 may be repositioned when the flexible rod 11 is twisted, to avoid binding. The fabric mesh 10 is then lifted out of the bathtub, while squeezing out any excess water. The pet hair is discarded and the fabric mesh 10 is easily rinsed out with an outdoor hose, hung up to dry, and then rolled up and placed in the storage pouch. The flexible rod is preferably sixty inches by thirty inches by fourteen inches. The flexible rod 11 may be positioned with the suction cups 12 in order to fit oddly sized bathtubs.

The fabric mesh 10 is preferably manufactured from a flexible, durable fabric that is water permeable, and will not float. The flexible rod 11 and the mounting rings are preferably manufactured from a semi-rigid, durable material, such as fifty-percent steel and fifty-percent polyvinyl chloride (PVC). The suction cups 12 and the flexible ring are preferably manufactured from a flexible, durable material, such as rubber or silicone. The storage pouch is preferably manufactured from a flexible, durable material, such as cotton, nylon, or plastic. Components, component sizes, and materials listed above are preferable, but artisans will recognize that alternate components and materials could be selected without altering the scope of the invention.

While the foregoing written description of the invention enables one of ordinary skill to make and use what is presently considered to be the best mode thereof, those of ordinary skill in the art will understand and appreciate the existence of variations, combinations, and equivalents of the specific embodiment, method, and examples herein. The invention should, therefore, not be limited by the above described embodiment, method, and examples, but by all embodiments and methods within the scope and spirit of the invention. 

I claim:
 1. A bath water filter for bathing an animal comprising: a fabric mesh; a flexible rod; said flexible rod being loop-shaped; said fabric mesh being suspended from said flexible rod; said fabric mesh being shaped to form a basket region; said fabric mesh being sufficiently fine so as to catch animal hair but admit water.
 2. The bath water filter for bathing an animal of claim 1 further comprising: a plurality of suction cups; said suction cups being removably affixed to said flexible rod.
 3. A method of use of the bath water filter for bathing an animal of claim 1 comprising: placing said flexible rod about the upper rim of a bathtub; placing said fabric mesh inside said bathtub; bathing an animal inside said basket region; removing said fabric mesh from said bathtub; rinsing said fabric mesh of animal hair using an outdoor hose; and drying said fabric mesh.
 4. A method of use of the bath water filter for bathing an animal of claim 2 comprising: placing said flexible rod about the upper rim of a bathtub; placing said fabric mesh inside said bathtub; bathing an animal inside said basket region; removing said fabric mesh from said bathtub; rinsing said fabric mesh of animal hair using an outdoor hose; and drying said fabric mesh.
 5. The method of claim 4 further comprising affixing said flexible rod to said bathtub via said plurality of suction cups prior to placing said flexible rod about the upper rim of said bathtub.
 6. A method of storing the bath water filter for bathing an animal of claim 1 comprising twisting and rolling said flexible rod into a storage configuration.
 7. A method of storing the bath water filter for bathing an animal of claim 2 comprising twisting and rolling said flexible rod into a storage configuration.
 8. The method of claim 3 further comprising storing said flexible rod by twisting and rolling said flexible rod into a storage configuration.
 9. The method of claim 4 further comprising storing said flexible rod by twisting and rolling said flexible rod into a storage configuration.
 10. The method of claim 5 further comprising storing said flexible rod by twisting and rolling said flexible rod into a storage configuration. 